Bread Machine vs Stand Mixer
Trying to decipher between a Bread Machine vs Stand Mixer? When it comes to making the perfect baked bread, it matters!
There’s no doubt about it — deciding whether to use a bread machine or a stand mixer to make your bread is a tricky thing to do. You could argue for and against both machines forever. But let’s narrow everything down to make your decision easier. Make certain you check out some of my favorite bread recipes as well!
When it comes to making bread at home, you need to know your options. It’s so much fun to cook up a loaf of bread at home and having the right appliance matters!
From wheat bread to gluten free bread, find out the best way that works for you to cook up your recipes. If it’s a cheap bread maker, great! If it’s a stand mixer, so be it! You’re the one using it so you need to love it.
I also love making these Bread Machine Desserts!
Bread Maker — Pros and Cons
When trying to decide if a bread maker is right for you, there are several things to consider. Here are some of the pros and cons of using a bread maker for your homemade bread recipes.
The Pros
- Ease of use: Just pour all your ingredients in, turn it on, and let the machine do all the work.
- Predictable: You’ll get the same results consistently as long as you measure the ingredients correctly.
- Brilliant texture: Along with the look and taste of your loaf, the texture will be even throughout the bake.
- Even rise: It’s a contained, controlled environment to give your bread the chance of rising.
- Affordability: You can purchase a bread maker for as little as $80!
The Cons
- Versatility: You can’t make anything other than bread (and sometimes jam) with these machines.
- The shape of product: Typically, loaves made in domestic bread machines are tall rather than long.
Stand Mixer — Pros and Cons
Now that we’ve gone over the positives and negatives of using a breadmaker appliance, let’s talk about the good and bad with a stand mixer, too.
The Pros
- Shape of product: Since you can only mix the dough with this machine, you can shape the loaf however you’d like.
- Versatility: They come with a variety of attachments so you can make anything you fancy including cakes, pastry, pasta, and more!
The Cons
- Affordability: You should expect to pay upwards of $100 for a high-quality basic mixer.
- Texture: If you are a skilled baker, you’ll be far more adept at knowing when to stop/knock it back. But for novices, this can be incredibly hard to gauge with a stand mixer.
- Rise: Your oven isn’t as controlled as a bread machine so the rise of your loaf may be uneven.
By now, you will have probably decided whether you’d prefer to use a bread machine or a stand mixer. So, take a look below to find the best of both for under $100!
Best Bread Machines Under $100
If you’re looking for the best bread maker under $100, here are a few to consider. Having a cheap bread machine isn’t a bad thing!
The Hamilton Beach HomeBaker 29882 is one of the best inexpensive bread makers. It comes with 12 built-in cycles that let you make anything from pizza dough to croissants.
You can choose from three crust settings (light, medium, dark) and even has an additional kneading paddle so you don’t have to stop baking when everything else is in the dishwasher!
For an even cheaper option, the Oster Expressbake is fantastic. You can bake a 2lb loaf from the 9 bread and 3 crust settings.
Best Stand Mixer Under $100
The Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer is the overall best option. It comes with a 4-quart bowl, splash guard, seven-speed settings, and a dough hook.
However, it’s worth noting that the motor isn’t as strong as the Aicok 2 in 1 Hand/Stand Mixer which is also under $100. This model comes with a turbo speed typically seen on standard hand mixers that might be useful when baking highly aerated bread.
The Bottom Line
Overall, if you’re a novice, you’re better off choosing a bread machine to ensure perfection (even in your first loaf). To hone your skills and get creative, a stand mixer will undoubtedly be your new best friend.
